Line by Line - Verse 41, Line 4

If it were not (thus) laughed at, it would not be fit to be the Tao.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

If they do not laugh, it would not be the Tao
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

If he didn't laugh, it wouldn't be Tao.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

For me, the message of this line is not altogether different than that of Verse 27, Lines 15-16. From those who do not seek to embrace Tao, in some form, we learn valuable lessons.

When others eschew the Way, we are provided with a glimpse of the travails they encounter from not following their path.

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